Page 87 of Betrayed

“We’ll bring her home,” I said to the back of his head.

His slight nod was the only indication he’d heard me. Jay looked at me and nodded, his normal smart-ass attitude gone now that we were in mission mode.

Blake gasped when she walked into the room and saw us preparing.

I jumped up and made sure she was okay.

“Yeah, I just wasn’t expecting,” she waved her hand towards the room, “all this.”

“I should have warned you.” I grabbed her bag and walked her to the couch.

“Are the rifles really necessary?” she asked, her fear of guns resurfacing.

“Yes.” Jack and Jay answered together.

“Rifles are the best tool we have to get the job done.” I picked up the vest. “Let me help you put this on.”

The only evidence of Blake’s inner freak-out was the white of her eyes doubling in size as she held her breath.

“Blake, I need you to breathe.” I waited until she’d taken a few breaths before continuing. “The vest is a precaution; we’re all wearing one.”

Jay tapped on his chest to emphasize my point.

“But they don’t know where I am.” The fear in her voice ripped my heart into confetti-sized pieces. I wished I could make this all go away.

“We don’t believe so, but won't risk it,” Jack answered.

She looked at the vest in my hands and nodded. Jack and Jay stood up and slung their rifles, letting me know they were ready.

“Blake, this won't be like when I was protecting you at school. Jay will go out first and make sure the coast is clear. He’ll hold the door to the sedan open while I walk you there. Jack will be behind us.”

I hated scaring her as I delivered the information impersonally, but it was the only way. I had to keep my feelingsseparate from the job at hand.My priority is keeping her safe, not worrying about her feelings.

“Ready?”

“What about your truck?” she asked. I’d seen that look before—the need to focus on anything except her fear. “You can’t leave it here.”

“I’m not. Jack will drive it.” I stood and extended my hand. “Ready?”

She swallowed hard before placing her shaking hand in mine. “I think so.”

That’s my girl. I leaned down and kissed her forehead before whispering, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I let go of her hand just long enough to sling my rifle, then gave the order, “Let’s go.”

We were safely in the cars and on the road in under three minutes. Jay drove in the front, with Jack behind us.

“You okay?” I asked, knowing she probably wasn’t. But talking would help keep her mind off what was coming.

“I don’t know.” She stared out the window, her hands compulsively pulling at her designer purse strap.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“You’ll think I’m pathetic.”

How could I, given what she was about to risk for Meg? “I assure you, I won’t.”

“I’m scared, but not as scared as I think I should be.” She turned to me. “I should be terrified right?”

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